Looking to teach in China but unsure where to begin? Join our TEFL Training Programme and let our team guide you through from start to finish.
Run in partnership with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), our TEFL Training Programme is perfect for final year students and recent graduates looking for a rewarding teach abroad experience. Working closely alongside this Beijing based organisation, we are committed to finding you your ideal TEFL job in China with a safe, reputable school in one of over 25 destinations.
No teaching experience or knowledge of Mandarin is necessary, but don’t worry; we’ll provide you with an online TEFL course and training to ensure you head to your city feeling confident and prepared.
We expect that the TEFL Training Programme will go ahead in 2021, and applications for it are now open.
Programme Highlights
We aim to ensure that you start your teaching job ready to make the most of the experience. To help you quickly find your feet, all of our teaching placements include support from our team, in addition to the following.
TEFL & Training
We offer all candidates a 120-hour TEFL course, designed to give you an introduction to teaching and to life in China. This will be completed with a 2-week practical training camp in Beijing, where you’ll get a taste of teaching Chinese students.
Salary
You’ll receive a monthly salary of between 5,000 – 16,000 RMB per month, depending on location. Salaries are always relative to the cost of living in each city, and they provide teachers a comfortable monthly income that goes a long way!
Accommodation
All schools except those in Shanghai* provide free accommodation in shared or private apartments. Accommodation is equipped with all the essentials, including air conditioning and western toilets to make your stay comfortable.
Choice
You’ll get the chance to choose between over 20 different cities and 5 school types, giving you the chance to find your ideal placement. Each city has it’s own character, so whatever kind of location and age group you’re looking for, we can help!
Holidays
You’ll get to enjoy a 4-6 week-long winter break over January/February, as well as several long weekends throughout the year. In some cases this vacation is paid, and it gives you the perfect chance to travel around China or other parts of Asia!
Flights
Though you’ll need to pay for your flights up front, your school will reimburse the cost of a return journey once you’ve completed part of your contract in China. In some cases, schools also reimburse the costs associated with applying for a work visa.
Community
Our TEFL Training Programme is the ideal way to meet others in the same boat as you. The Orientation Day, training camp and social media group give you a chance to get to know your colleagues and make friends before you even arrive!
Orientation Day
You’ll be invited to attend our day-long Orientation in London along with all other participants a few weeks before departure. Here you can meet your colleagues, chat to ex-teachers, and clear up any last-minute nerves!
Member’s Area
All programme participants receive access to our exclusive Teach English In China Member’s Area, which contains a Lesson Plan Library, tips on various aspects of life in China and placement specific resources to help you prepare.
*Schools in Shanghai pay a higher salary to cover the cost of private rentals (3,000 – 7,000 RMB p/m depending on location and living arrangements)
Destinations
With over 25 different cities to choose from, you’re sure to find a TEFL placement that suits you. You’ll be given the chance to send us your top 3 cities and we’ll do our best to match you with a suitable school. Below are our most popular destinations, but you can find the full list here.
The Practical Parts
Dates
This Programme begins at various points throughout the academic year. You can begin your placement in August*, October, February and March. Options are available for a period of 4.5* or 11 months, and you must be able to commit to work in China for the whole of your chosen period.
Visa
All participants will go to China on a Z-type Work Visa. This takes around 3 months to prepare and apply for, so you must be able to dedicate time to this prior to your departure. Teach English In China will guide you through the application process step-by-step to make the process more manageable.
Eligibility
To be considered for our State School Programme, you must be a final-year student* or graduate, holding a passport from the UK, Ireland, US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada or South Africa. You must also have an interest in foreign cultures and helping others learn.
Prices
We charge a support fee for participation in our TEFL Training Programme, which includes our pre-departure services, TEFL qualification and training, and in-country support. This is paid in two instalments; the first upon enrolment and the second 1 month before school allocation begins. Schools are only allocated once the second has been received.
| GBP | EUR | USD | NZD | AUD | CAD | ZAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £549 | €625 | $760 | $1,045 | $980 | $960 | R 9,950 |
You will be responsible for the upfront cost of the visa, visa administration fees (inc. legalisation and medical) and flights. Schools will reimburse flights up to 10,000 RMB, and visa legalization costs up to 2000 RMB.
*You can apply in your final year of university, though you must have graduated by the time you go to China to be eligible for the work visa.